They are both fine machines and if I were buying new and had no bones about a HX vs DB the Elektra is dang fine choice. I don't know that i would trade in a Duetto that I already own, and i do own a Duetto like you, for an Elektra though. It could very well be that the Elektra can kick its butt in steam department but all I can speak to is what the Duetto can do since that is the one I have. I entertain up to 20 pretty regularly and can easy keep up with my Duetto no trouble.

The quality of steam is measured by a precent of water in the steam. Dry steam has no water but that is just theory really because the instant you crack open a steam valve the steam molecules start bouncing around and cooling off as they escape and condensation starts to happen. Izzo says your steam boiler at 262 degrees will be at 1.5 bar of pressure so the steam should be dry. When you crack the valve everything that happens after that point that makes the difference. The longer the trip through the tubing and to the tip the more the quality of the steam will be reduced. The temp of the tubing between the boiler and the tip through which your steam has to pass makes big difference. The temp of the tubing is impacted by the ambient temp of the room and the other internals of your machine. The Duetto has "don't burn me" wands so it might be that it builds more moister on its journey than it would through a "burn me" wand like I think is used on the Elektra. If you purge your steam wand on the Duetto slow enough it warms it up real nice it will improve the quality of the steam according to the MadTamper and I have found this to be true in my case at least.

It's been a long time since the thermodynamic section of my high school physics class but there you have it for what its worth which is likely very little, :)

Yes i have a reason for leaving SCG off my list, yes it is my opinion, yes it is subjective as opinions are by definition, no don't start a flame war because you disagree.

Also consider the steam pressure is related to altitude. If you're not getting close to 1.5 bar pressure, and feel you want to, you can bump up the boiler temp a few degrees. You should consult the table in the Duetto manual (which you probably have already downloaded from CCS). Fortunately, there is an OPV to prevent you from screwing up your machine if you go too high.

I too found TheMadTamper's posted experiences to be very helpful.

.Always remember the most important thing is what ends up in your cup!

Well I already sold my Deutto so getting something new is a necessity. (I didn't sell to get a new one, I had intended to quite. Don't hate me and at least I'm back.)

Also, I'm not hung-up on HX vs. Dual. What I am stuck on though is I've yet been able to duplicate the quality of cappuccinos I get at someplace like Intelligentsia (Barefoot Coffee Roasters, in my case.) I started with the Pasquini Livia, and sold that soon thereafter for a Rocket Giotto. I loved the Giotto (it was a big upgrade in my opinion), and when I later upgraded to the Duetto, I didn't feel like it was a major upgrade. (The benefits of a dual-boiler were nice.)

I'm educated/skilled enough to feel I have good technique, and don't get me wrong, the cappuccinos are super yummy and have (overrated) latte art. But the quality still doesn't compare to what I find in a third-wave bar. I've always concluded that it's a result of my milk. That my foam isn't as spot on. (Admittedly I use only whole milk and not 5-6% specialty milk they often use in these bars.)

So now that I have to buy a new machine, I'm thinking moving my price point from 2k to something greater. So I guess my question is, if a Duetto II is your current machine, what's the next step up?

(By the way, I'm using a Vario grinder. And, as discussed in a different thread, a Lever machine is out of the question---maybe the next next upgrade!)

Well I already sold my Deutto so getting something new is a necessity. (I didn't sell to get a new one, I had intended to quite. Don't hate me and at least I'm back.)

Also, I'm not hung-up on HX vs. Dual. What I am stuck on though is I've yet been able to duplicate the quality of cappuccinos I get at someplace like Intelligentsia (Barefoot Coffee Roasters, in my case.) I started with the Pasquini Livia, and sold that soon thereafter for a Rocket Giotto. I loved the Giotto (it was a big upgrade in my opinion), and when I later upgraded to the Duetto, I didn't feel like it was a major upgrade. (The benefits of a dual-boiler were nice.)

I'm educated/skilled enough to feel I have good technique, and don't get me wrong, the cappuccinos are super yummy and have (overrated) latte art. But the quality still doesn't compare to what I find in a third-wave bar. I've always concluded that it's a result of my milk. That my foam isn't as spot on. (Admittedly I use only whole milk and not 5-6% specialty milk they often use in these bars.)

So now that I have to buy a new machine, I'm thinking moving my price point from 2k to something greater. So I guess my question is, if a Duetto II is your current machine, what's the next step up?

(By the way, I'm using a Vario grinder. And, as discussed in a different thread, a Lever machine is out of the question---maybe the next next upgrade!)

For me the next stop is a maybe a GS3 but more likely a Synesso Hydra or Speedster for my primary machine and those are in the ship needs to come in category. Since I have two leaving for college I really don't see it anytime soon. If someone steals my Duetto I would have to consider the Elektra, Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 but would likely make the same choice and go with the Duetto again.

I have kicked around a USED Faema Legend as a second machine for my regular bar area. That would be strictly a second machine entertaining and just because that area of my house if retro 60s by design. I missed on two group that went for $2500 on ebay darn it. A commercial lever is another might be fun to play around on for a while as a second machine.

Yes i have a reason for leaving SCG off my list, yes it is my opinion, yes it is subjective as opinions are by definition, no don't start a flame war because you disagree.

Just to chime in... the new Elektra T1 machines have steam tips with holes that are 1mm whereas the older style had 1.5mm holes. With the former 1.5mm holes, it was almost impossible to steam small amounts of milk.

A customer called today to comment on his just recently received T1, and he stated that the T1 produced better, sweeter frothed milk than his former Elektra SemiAutomatica machine. I was a little surprised to hear this. Not sure what milk he was using. I then explained the reason why. Second, he was stating that the T1 does not get really hot as previously reported on older machines. The reason for this is that there have been some design changes to keep the machine cooler.

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